Asian-American women—including those with vegan brands—are making their presence known in the business world. According to the 2016 American Express State of Women-Owned Businesses Report, “[T]here are an estimated 922,700 Asian-American women-owned firms … generating $170.4 billion in revenues.”
Here are the Asian-American/Pacific Islander vegan business owners who inspire and influence us with their ambition, mission, and merchandise:
Aubry Walch – The Herbivorous Butcher
Aubry Walch was 13 years old when her family moved from Guam to Minnesota. Now, along with her younger brother, Kale, she owns a vegan butcher shop in Minneapolis.
After successfully setting up at the farmers’ market with their vegan meat-alternative brand, The Herbivorous Butcher, Aubry and Kale raised enough money through a Kickstarter campaign to open up their own vegan deli and restaurant. Their products include spicy chorizo, smoky BBQ ribs, and maple-glazed bacon.
Bianca Moran – SUSI Studio
Bianca Moran founded SUSI Studio, a Los Angeles‒based vegan footwear company. In Filipino, susi means “key,” which represents her goal of unlocking ethical approaches to fashion and style. Celebrities such as Miley Cyrus have been photographed wearing her designs.
Each pair of shoes is mindfully designed and made with sustainable, natural fibers such as hemp and canvas, as well as recycled polyurethane from plastic bottles.
Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart – Vaute
Vaute reator and founder Leanne Mai-Ly Hilgart started out as a model before becoming a vegan fashion business owner. While modeling in Taipei, she discovered Deepak Chopra’s book The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success and became inspired to start her own fashion line after reading, “Expressing your talents to fulfill needs creates unlimited wealth and abundance.”
Today, Vaute uses organic and recycled fibers to create all kinds of vegan clothing, from sweaters to swimsuits.
Miyoko Schinner – Miyoko’s Kitchen
Miyoko Schinner was on a mission to recreate the flavors and textures of the dairy cheeses that she enjoyed before becoming vegan. Years of experimentation eventually led to the publication of her influential book, Artisan Vegan Cheese. As successful as the book became, people often asked that she make the recipes and sell the cheese herself.
After assembling a team of passionate vegans, she launched Miyoko’s Kitchen. Her brand’s cultured nut products can be found at grocery stores across the country.
Nikki Duong Koenig – Cykochik Custom Handbags
Cykochik Custom Handbags founder Nikki Duong Koenig started her brand in her dorm room in 2003 as a Southern Methodist University student. What started out as a creative outlet for her art and designs soon snowballed into the vegan custom handbags company it is today.
On the 10th anniversary of Cykochik’s creation, Nikki launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise enough money to take her brand to the next level.
Sara Sohn – Sweet & Sara
Sweet & Sara founder Sara Sohn went vegan at age 14 while caring for her childhood bunny, Skipper. It was easy for her to stop eating animal-derived foods, but she missed marshmallows, which traditionally contain gelatin. She was hopeful that vegan marshmallows would exist someday—and they do, thanks to her!
Sara—who named her brand with the help of her sister, Susan—experienced a setback when she found out that the company that was selling her “vegetarian gel” for her marshmallows was actually using gelatin. After 10 months of trial and error, she figured out the perfect formula for vegan marshmallows. Now, Sweet & Sara vegan marshmallows can be found in grocery stores all around the world.
Queenie Scherer – ahimsa Essentials
ahimsa Essentials was established by husband-and-wife team Sean and Queenie Scherer. After they both learned about the harmful chemicals found in conventional and natural skincare goods, they set out to create a cruelty-free and vegan skincare company with goods that contain—at most—five ingredients and no artificial ingredients, preservatives, or synthetic fragrances. Ahimsa is a Sanskrit word meaning “nonviolence.”
Queenie is also an engineer, but she can be found selling ahimsa Essentials products at local farmers’ markets in the Phoenix area.
Asian-American/Pacific Islander vegan business owners are changing the face of the animal rights movement one cruelty-free and vegan item at a time. Purchasing their products not only supports their businesses but also enhances our quality of life, benefits the environment, and—of course—saves animals’ lives.
